Manure Management Plan

A Manure Management Plan should be documented and include the following steps:

1. Identify areas where animal manures should never be spread. These non­-spreading areas should be marked on a farm map in red.

2. Identify areas where animal manures should not be spread under certain conditions or where application rates should be restricted. These very high-risk areas (orange) and high-risk areas (yellow) should be marked on a farm map. The remaining areas should be marked as lower risk (green). Identify on the map any areas in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones affected by the closed periods (non-­spreading periods).

3. Calculate the minimum area of land needed for spreading animal manures. The maximum field application of total nitrogen from spread manures should be limited to 250 kg per hectare per year.

4. Identify the area of land that may be used for spreading sewage sludge or other organic wastes. This step is not required if these materials are not brought on to the farm.

5. Assess whether extra storage is needed for slurry and dirty water. Use the risk map (coloured map) and your experience of spreading over the winter period to identify whether extra storage is needed to minimise the risk of causing water pollution.

6. Update the risk map if you take on extra land.

7. Update the storage assessment if slurry or dirty water production increases.

8. Use the plan to help you with field spreading and minimise the risk of causing pollution.